Enhanced liquid container

ABSTRACT

A beverage container includes a lid assembly having a chamber for storing and subsequently releasing a component of a mixture into a liquid stored within the container. The lid assembly includes an upper housing attached to a lower housing. The upper housing includes a button movable between a locked position and a released position. The upper housing also includes a spout that provides access to the contents of the container. A disk snaps into a snap groove within the lower housing and includes the chamber for storing one component of the mixture separate from liquid within the container. The chamber is initially placed in a storage position where contents of the chamber are isolated from the container. Aligning the chamber with an inlet in the lower housing to the container provides for the component mixture to fall freely into the liquid within the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to a beverage container. Moreparticularly this invention relates to a beverage container includingfeatures for storing separate component parts of a mixture prior toconsumption.

Typically, soft drinks, sports drinks, and other drinks are storedwithin a sealed beverage container prior to purchase. The durationbetween the time that the beverage is placed within the container andactually consumed can be significant. Therefore, many beverages includea sell-by date to insure that the beverage is sold within a desired timeto ensure a desired level of freshness.

Commonly beverages are a mixture of several ingredients dissolved withina liquid such as water. The mixture of ingredients is typicallyperformed at a bottling or other production facility just prior to beingplaced within a sealed beverage container. A sport drink typicallyincludes ingredients that are intended to replace nutrients lost duringrobust physical activity. In some instances, those ingredients can beginto lose potency once mixed. Disadvantageously, there can be asignificant period between the time a beverage mixed and bottled andconsumption.

Accordingly, it is desirable to develop and design a beverage containerthat can store a beverage for long periods, while still providing thedesired just mixed freshness upon consumption.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a beverage container including a lid assembly having achamber for storing and subsequently releasing a component of a mixtureinto a liquid stored within the container.

The example beverage container includes a lid assembly attached to acontainer containing a liquid. The lid assembly includes an upperhousing attached to a lower housing. The upper housing includes a buttonmovable between a locked position and a released position. The upperhousing also includes a spout that provides access to the contents ofthe container.

A disk snaps into a snap groove within the lower housing and includesthe chamber for storing one component of the mixture separate fromliquid within the container. The chamber is initially placed in astorage position that is not aligned with the inlet. In this position,the contents of the chamber are isolated from the container. When it isdesired to mix the component stored within the chamber with the liquidwithin the container, the button is depressed to permit rotation of theupper housing and the disk. Rotation of the upper housing aligns thechamber with an inlet in the lower housing to the container. Thecontents of the chamber are then free to fall into and mix with thecontents of the container.

Accordingly, the beverage container of this invention provides for theseparation of components such that a beverage may be stored for longperiods, while still providing the desired just mixed freshness uponconsumption.

These and other features of the present invention can be best understoodfrom the following specification and drawings, the following of which isa brief description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an example beverage container according to thisinvention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the example beverage container.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a lower housing according to thisinvention.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an example disk having a chamberaccording to this invention.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of an example disk having multiplechambers according to this invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bottom surface of the disk.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bottom portion of an example spoutaccording to this invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example button according to thisinvention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an example lid assembly according tothis invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an example beverage container 10 is shownthat provides for storing of at least two mixable substances separatelyprior to mixing by a consumer of a beverage. The beverage container 10includes a container 12 and a lid assembly 14 for holding and storing aliquid within the container 12. The lid assembly 14 includes a lowerhousing 18 attachable to the container 12 and an upper housing 20attached to the lower housing 18. The upper housing 20 includes a button21 that is movable between a locked position and a released position. Inthe released position, the upper housing 20 is rotatable relative to thelower housing 18. The upper housing 20 includes a spout 15 that providesaccess to the contents of the container 12. The lid assembly 14 storesand subsequently releases into the container 12 a component part formixing with liquid stored within the container.

The lid assembly 14 includes a disk 22 having a chamber 16. The chamber16 provides for the storage of one of the mixable substances. The disk22 snaps into a snap groove 24 within the lower housing 18 and isrotatable relative to the lower housing 18. The upper housing 20includes an outlet tube 64 that assembles into the lower housing 18 byway of a snap fit through an outlet opening 28. The snap fit of theoutlet tube 64 provides for rotation of the upper housing 20 relative tothe lower housing 18. The button 21 assembles into the upper housing 20and is held in the locked position by a biasing arm 60.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the lower housing 18 includes an annularguide groove 32. The guide groove 32 includes a locking grove 34 thatjuts radially outward normal to the guide groove 32. The disk 22includes a guide arm 42 that guides within the guide groove 32. The disk22 also includes a locking tab 44 that extends from a peripheral edge 46of the disk 22. The locking tab 44 rotates with the disk 22 and engagesa ramped surface 36 of the lower housing 18 upon reaching an alignedposition. In the aligned position, the chamber 16 is aligned with aninlet 26. The locking tab 44 bends upwardly responsive to engaging theramped surface 36 until dropping into retention groove 38. The lockingtab 44 locks the disk 22 into the aligned position with the chamber 16aligned with the inlet 26.

Referring now also to FIG. 7, the button 21 includes a guide member 58that extends into the guide groove 32. The guide member 58 is disposedwithin the locking groove 34 when in a locked position to preventrotation of the upper housing 20. Depressing the button 21 moves theguide member 58 radially inward and into the guide groove 32. The upperhousing 20 is then free to rotate. The guide arm 42 of the disk 22includes a slot 45 into which the guide member 58 is received.Accordingly, movement of the upper housing 20 is transferred to the disk22 through the button 21. Depressing the button 21 frees the guidemember from the locking groove 34, and allows rotation of the upperhousing 20 and disk 22 relative to the lower housing 18.

Referring now also to FIG. 5, the disk 22 includes a seal 48 surroundingthe chamber 16. The seal 48 is disposed between the disk 22 and asurface 30 of the lower housing 18. The snap groove 24 holds the disk 22in place such that pressure is applied to the seal 48 to preventmigration of material within the chamber 16. The seal 48 slides alongthe surface 30 during rotation of the disk 22 and maintains the desiredseal.

The chamber 16 is a spherical cavity having the opening 17. The size ofthe chamber 16 is determined to provide a desired storage capacityrequired for a desired mixture. The volume of the chamber 16substantially coincides with the amount of material required to providethe desired concentration of the final mixed beverage. The volume of thechamber 16 is not necessarily equal to the quantity of component formixing. As appreciated, a larger chamber 16 can provide storage forlesser amounts of component for mixing as is desired. Further, althougha semispherical shape is shown in the example, other shapes that providethe desired storage capacity are also within the contemplation of thisinvention. Further, multiple chambers 16 (FIG. 4B) may be utilized tostore different component mixtures or increase the capacity for storingone component mixture.

Referring now also to FIG. 6, an underside of the spout 15 is shown andincludes a first annular seal 52 and a second elongated oval shaped seal54. The spout 15 slides within a slot 68 (FIG. 2) of the upper housing20. The outlet tube 64 includes a first end in communication with thecontents of the container 12 and a second end terminating at the spout15. The spout 15 seals against spilling of the contents in both the openand closed positions. In the closed positions, the outlet tube 64 iscovered by the spout 15 and the seal 54. In the open position, anopening 50 of the spout 15 is aligned with the outlet tube 64 to allowconsumption of the contents of the container. The spout 56 includes amouthpiece portion 56 adapted to direct the contents of the container12.

The spout 15 includes a ridge portion 55 that corresponds to a ridge 25about a circumference of the upper housing 20. When the spout 15 is in aclosed position the ridge 55 conforms to the ridge 25 to provide adesired continuous and desirable appearance.

Referring to FIG. 8, the chamber 16 stores a component such as a powderor a liquid. As appreciated, the composition of the powder or liquid caninclude mixtures to enhance taste or add valuable nutrients. Thecontainer 12 stores a liquid such as for example water. Further, otherliquids may also be stored that correspond with the component storedwithin the chamber 16. The specific contents of the chamber 16 and thecontainer 12 are combined to provide a desired mixture that benefitsboth nutritionally and preferentially from being consumed upon mixing.

In use, the container is filled with a liquid and the chamber 16 filledwith a powder or other mixture for mixing with the liquid. Othermixtures can include liquids, gels, crystals or forms as known in theart. The chamber 16 is placed in the storage position. The storageposition comprises a position that is not aligned with the inlet 26. Inthis position, the contents of the chamber 16 are isolated from liquidwithin the container 12. The beverage container 10 is shipped to adestination for purchase by a consumer.

A consumer can drink from the container by sliding the spout 15 toward acenter position to align the opening 50 with the outlet tube 64. Thecontents of the chamber 16 need not be dispensed to allow access toliquid within the container 12. As appreciated, a consumer may prefer todrink the liquid within the container 12. When it is desired to mix thecomponent stored within the chamber 16 with the liquid within thecontainer 12, the button 21 is depressed. Depressing the button 21 movesthe guide member 58 from the locking groove 34 (FIG. 3) to permitrotation of the upper housing 20. The button 21 includes a biasing arm60 that engages a ramped surface 70 of the upper housing 20. Thecorresponding engagement biases the button 21 radially outward such thatrelease of the button 21 drives the button 21 back toward the lockedposition.

Rotation of the upper housing 20 results in a concurrent rotation of thedisk 22. The guide member 58 rotates to an end 35 of the guide groove32. Once the guide member 58 is free of the locking groove 34, thebutton 21 need not be held. As the end 35 is reached, the biasing arm 60will drive the button 21, and thereby the guide member 58 into thelocking groove 34. The end of the guide groove 32 coincides withalignment of the chamber 16 with the inlet 26. The contents of thechamber 16 are then free to fall into the container 12. The contents ofthe chamber 16 and container are then mixed for consumption. The spout15 may slide as indicated by arrows to 66 to access the liquid, or toclose the container 10 for later consumption.

The beverage container 10 of this invention provides for the isolationand subsequent mixing of two components of a beverage. The componentsmay include many different mixtures such as a sports drink wherebeneficial nutrients are added to water. Further, other uses are withinthe contemplation of this invention such for storing and mixing aninfant's formula, or adding a component providing a desirable taste orcolor change for aesthetic reasons. Further, the number of chambers 16may be increased to add additional components for mixing.

Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been disclosed, aworker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certainmodifications would come within the scope of this invention. For thatreason, the following claims should be studied to determine the truescope and content of this invention.

1. A beverage container assembly comprising: a container for holding aliquid; and a lid assembly including a chamber movable from a closedposition for separating a substance from the liquid within saidcontainer, and a released position where the substance within saidchamber is combinable with liquid within said container.
 2. The assemblyas recited in claim 1 wherein said lid assembly comprises a lowerhousing attachable to said container, an upper housing attached to saidlower housing, said upper housing selectively rotatable relative to saidlower housing for moving said chamber between said closed position andsaid released position.
 3. The assembly as recited in claim 2 whereinsaid lid assembly includes a disk assembled to said lower housing, saiddisk rotatable relative to said lower housing with said upper housing.4. The assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein said disk defines saidchamber.
 5. The assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein said lowerhousing includes a snap groove for holding said disk.
 6. The assembly asrecited in claim 5, wherein said lower housing includes an inlet openinginto said container.
 7. The assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein saidlower housing includes a seal surface, and said disk includes a sealsurrounding said chamber.
 8. The assembly as recited in claim 6, whereinsaid disk is rotatable relative to said lower housing for aligning saidchamber with said inlet opening.
 9. The assembly as recited in claim 8,wherein said chamber comprises a plurality of chambers disposed withinsaid disk, wherein each of said chambers are alignable with said inletopening.
 10. The assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein said lowerhousing includes a guide groove and said disk includes a tab disposedwithin said guide groove.
 11. The assembly as recited in claim 10,including a button disposed within said upper housing, said buttonincluding an arm movable within said groove.
 12. The assembly as recitedin claim 10, wherein said button is movable between a locked positionpreventing rotation of said upper housing and an unlocked positionallowing rotation of said upper housing.
 13. The assembly as recited inclaim 10, wherein said button includes a biasing member corresponding tosaid upper housing for biasing said button toward said locked position.14. The assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein said upper housingincludes an outlet tube received within an outlet opening of said lowerhousing.
 15. The assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein said outlettube snap-fits within said outlet opening.
 16. The assembly as recitedin claim 14, including a spout movable between a closed position sealingsaid outlet tube and an open position.
 17. The assembly as recited inclaim 16, wherein said spout slides within said upper housing betweensaid closed and open positions.
 18. A lid assembly for a beveragecontainer comprising: a lower housing attachable to a beveragecontainer, said lower housing including an outlet and an inlet; an upperhousing attachable to said lower housing and rotatable relative to saidlower housing, said upper housing including an outlet tube correspondingto said outlet of said lower housing; and a disk mounted to said lowerhousing and rotatable with said upper housing, said disk including achamber selectively alignable with said inlet of said lower housing,said chamber providing for storage of ingredients mixable with liquidstored within the container for mixing with said liquid by a consumer ofa beverage.
 19. The assembly as recited in claim 18, wherein said upperhousing and said disk rotate about an axis and said outlet and saidchamber are spaced apart from said axis such that said chamber rotatesabout said axis and into alignment with said inlet.
 20. The assembly asrecited in claim 18, including a seal for sealing between said disk andsaid lower housing about a periphery of said chamber.
 21. The assemblyas recited in claim 20 wherein said upper housing includes a buttonmovable between a released position allowing rotation of said upperhousing relative to said lower housing and a locked position preventingrotation of said upper housing relative to said lower housing.
 22. Theassembly as recited in claim 21, wherein said button includes a biasingmember cooperating with a sloped surface of said upper housing forbiasing said button toward said locked position.
 23. The assembly asrecited in claim 22, wherein said disk includes a locking tab forlocking said disk in a position where said chamber is aligned with saidinlet.
 24. A method of storing and preparing a beverage having twocomponent parts, said method comprising the steps of: a) storing a firstcomponent part within a container; b) storing a second component partwithin a lid attachable to said container and separated from said firstcomponent part; and c) releasing said second component part form saidlid into said container and into said first component part.
 25. Themethod as recited in claim 24 wherein said step b) comprises storing thesecond component part with a chamber defined within said lid assembly.26. The method as recited in claim 25 wherein said step c) comprisesaligning said chamber with an inlet of said lid.
 27. The method asrecited in claim 24 including mixing said first component with saidsecond component.